County-Based Organic Research and Extension Activities
As part of SAREP's organic initiative, we are working with the following county UC Cooperative Extension programs to bring organic farming research and information resources to the local level. Funding for these county-based programs comes from The Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation, the True North Foundation, and a California Department of Food and Agriculture Buy California Initiative /USDA grant. For information about specific programs, please contact the individual listed.
- Humboldt County
Organic farming research and extension program, coordinated by Annie Eicher. Eicher works on a variety of projects addressing soil management, production techniques, and marketing strategies. Contact Annie Eicher, UC Cooperative Extension Humboldt County (aleicher@ucdavis.edu). Funded by a grant from the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation. For more information see http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/newsltr/v15n1/sa-4.html - Marin County
Marin County sustainable and organic program and Grown in Marin newsletter, coordinated by Steve Quirt. Research and extension activities focus on medicinal herb farming, natural and organic beef, farm diversification, organic strawberry production, organic livestock opportunities, direct marketing, farmstead cheeses, specialty crops, and organic transition and certification. Contact Steve Quirt, UC Cooperative Extension Marin County (wsquirt@ucdavis.edu). Funded by a grant from the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation. For more information see http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/newsltr/v14n2/sa-3.htm - Ventura County
Organic vegetable and row crops farming systems program, coordinated by farm advisor Oleg Daugovish. Research and extension priorities include cover crop evaluation, compost quality, and soil fertility management in organic systems. Contact Oleg Daugovish, UC Cooperative Extension Ventura County (odaugovish@ucdavis.edu). Funded by a grant from the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation. For more information see http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/newsltr/v14n3/sa-02.htm - San Joaquin County
Field research on how to control annual weeds in organic systems. Various products will be evaluated and results reported in publications and at workshops and field days. Contact Benny Fouche, UC Cooperative Extension San Joaquin County (bfouche@ucdavis.edu). Funded by a grant from the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation in cooperation with the UC Small Farm Program. - Fresno County
Field trials to test the effectiveness of organic insecticides on controlling diabrotica in cucurbits, and evaluate other practices such as reflective mulches and release of tachinid parasite flies. The cost effectiveness of each practice will be assessed. Contact Richard Molinar, UC Cooperative Extension Fresno County (rhmolinar@ucdavis.edu). Funded by a grant from the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation in cooperation with the UC Small Farm Program. - Santa Barbara County
Field trials with farmer-cooperators to determine efficient and cost effective fertilizer systems for organic fruit and vegetables. Contact Mark Gaskell, UC Cooperative Extension Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo counties (mlgaskell@ucdavis.edu). Funded by a grant from the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation in cooperation with the UC Small Farm Program. - San Diego County
Create an Organic Advisory Board for San Diego County, assess markets and marketing challenges faced by local organic growers, and conduct research on organic blueberries, including variety testing and evaluation of soil pH management techniques. Contact Ramiro Lobo, UC Cooperative Extension San Diego County (relobo@ucdavis.edu). Funded by a grant from the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation in cooperation with the UC Small Farm Program. - Sonoma County
Organic Olive Production Shortcourse and Manual. Field research to evaluate varietal differences in olives, soil management and pest management, including organic approaches to managing olive fruit fly. Contact Paul Vossen, UC Cooperative Extension Sonoma County (pmvossen@ucdavis.edu). Funded by grants from California Department of Food and AgricultureBuy California Initiative/USDA, and the True North Foundation. - Mendocino County
Organic Winegrape Production Shortcourse and Manual. Research on varietal issues and pest management in winegrapes, including cultural control for bunch rots, cover crops and sanitation for mold reduction. Contact: Glenn McGourty, UC Cooperative Extension Mendocino County (gtmcgourty@ucdavis.edu). Funded by grants from California Department of Food and Agriculture Buy California Initiative/USDA, and the True North Foundation. - Sutter-Yuba counties
Organic field research on stonefruit orchard crops, including temporal nitrogen budgets and N application issues, green manure and compost management, and insect and weed management. Contact Janine Hasey, UC Cooperative Extension Sutter-Yuba counties (jkhasey@ucdavis.edu). Funded by a grant from the True North Foundation. - Placer-Nevada counties
Research issues related to farm size, certification and marketing. Additional research on cultural pest control, cover crops, rotations and integration of livestock. Contact Cindy Fake, UC Cooperative Extension Placer-Nevada counties (cefake@ucdavis.edu). Funded by a grant from the True North Foundation.